MHS Marching Band Climbs The Mountain, Earns “Superior” Rating At State Finals



There is something special about going out on top.

Just ask Marysville Marching Band Director Bill Thissen.

After announcing his retirement as band director for Marysville High School at of the end of the school season, Mr. Thissen marched his charges through several grueling rounds of competitions and hundreds of hours of practice to earn a spot to the Ohio Music Educators Association State Finals, which were conducted Sunday at Dayton’s Welcome Stadium.

After the Monarch Marching Band made its way through its eight-minute, Latin-themed routine – the Monarchs were last band to perform on the day and didn’t take the field until 8:45 p.m. Sunday – a covey of judges convened to grade everything from the quality of the music, the marching, the uniforms and the drum lines of every marching band there. Here the judges, taking all the of the factors into account, issued one of four grades to each marching band: 1 for “Superior”, 2 for “Excellent”, 3 for “Good” and 4 for “Fair” (technically, there is a 5 for “Poor”, but poor performing bands don’t get invited to the State Finals.)

Given the sharp eyes and sour countenances of most of the judges, bands that are rated “Excellent” is a cause for a celebration as it is no mean feat to earn such a distinction.

But the Marysville Marching Band went the extra step. The Marching Monarchs received 1’s across-the-board, ending up being judged as “Superior” in their musicianship, marching skills and all other aspects that go into competing at the State Finals.

With this, while Marysville High School can’t exactly claim as having the best marching band in the state, it can say with certainty that there are none better. “Superior” has a nice ring to it.

Way to make an exit, Mr. Thissen.

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